Cause for Celebration

This year, several hundred thousand

people will observe International

Migratory Bird Day (IMBD). They will

gather in town squares, community

centers, schools, parks, and refuges

across the Western Hemisphere to learn

more about wild birds, take action to

conserve birds and their habitats, and

simply have fun.

Like any day of recognition, IMBD 

exists to focus attention on a valuable

resource—the nearly 350 species of

migratory birds that travel between

nesting habitats in North America and

non-breeding grounds in South and

Central America, Mexico, and the

Caribbean.

Migratory birds are some of the most

beautiful, observable, and remarkable

wildlife that share our world. Many know

migratory birds as symbolic harbingers

of spring and melodic songsters of the

woods. Migratory birds are also an

important economic resource, controlling

insect pests and generating billions in

recreational dollars.

Unfortunately, research has shown that

many migratory bird species are in

decline, facing a growing number of

threats on their migration routes and in

both their summer and winter habitats.

Thus, IMBD, in addition to being a day to

foster appreciation, is a call to action.

A Partnership for Birds

IMBD is the hallmark outreach event for

Partners in Flight (PIF)—a unique,

diverse consortium of individuals and

groups who share a vision of healthy bird

populations. Partners in this consortium

include government agencies,

conservation organizations, private

businesses, academic institutions,

chambers of commerce and everyday

citizens.

The 1993 creation of IMBD can be

credited to a PIF member, the

Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, and

the principal responsibility for its

national coordination currently rests with

two other partners, the National Fish &

Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish &

Wildlife Service’s Office of Migratory

Bird Management.

In the decade it has existed, PIF has

successfully developed research

programs and management strategies to

further bird conservation, in addition to

promoting outreach and education via

IMBD and other activities.

IMBD Today

The success of IMBD, and other PIF

programs, stems from their positive,

voluntary, grass-roots nature. A special

day for migratory birds provides

organizations, large and small, and

individuals, young and old, with an

impetus to take part in an enjoyable

activity to support migratory birds.

Activities might be a bird walk, a lecture,

a class, or a festival.

For those already involved in migratory

bird conservation, IMBD adds

momentum to the cause, raising local

activities to the level of an international

movement.

What Exactly Is

International Migratory 

Bird Day?

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

International

Migratory Bird Day

(IMBD)

Set on the second Saturday in

May, IMBD is an invitation to

celebrate and support migratory

bird conservation.
Moreover, IMBD can provide celebrants

with a focus in the form of an annual

general theme. Themes have included the

importance of wetland habitats, the

effects homeowners have on bird

conservation, as well as the peregrine

falcon and its celebrated recovery from

an endangered status.

Finally, although IMBD is officially a

single-day observance, it is not limiting.

Event planners are encouraged to

schedule activities on the date or dates

best suited to arrival of migrants in 

their area.

IMBD Resources

IMBD has grown from a good idea to 

a significant, annual occurrence.

Successes include:

Growth in the number of annual 

IMBD events. As the word has spread,

the number of IMBD celebrations has

increased five-fold.

An expanding web presence. At

http://birds.fws.gov/imbd.html, one can

find general IMBD information, IMBD

products, links to an Events Registry 

and other relevant sites.

Annual development of promotional and

educational materials to help event

organizers. These include posters,

t-shirts, educator packets, and resource

directories.

An Events Registry. An on-line database

that allows users to register their events

or find out about other events.

For more information, contact: 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Office of Migratory Bird Management

IMBD Events and Information Coordinator

703/358 2318

IMBD@fws.gov

March 2000

From simply watching a bird, to hosting a

full-scale festival, there are many ways to

celebrate International Migratory Bird Day!